Then Jesus wept

John 11:35

Much has been said about the emotional expression of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus. His emotional expression was a demonstration of His humanity. However, there is more to Jesus’s weeping than the physical death of His friend. Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus to life in a few minutes, so there was no sorrow there. In fact, Jesus purposefully waited for four days for Lazarus to be absolutely dead before He responded to the sisters’ call. His death could not, therefore, have been the cause for Jesus’s weeping. So, why did Jesus weep?

I believe Jesus wept over the devastation sin has brought on humanity – the hopelessness, sorrow and pain, and death. He wept over the spiritual blindness of the people to His real identity. He may also have seen the hypocritical expressions of the mourners, and that angered Him. There He stood before them, the One who wields the power over death, yet, the people did not recognize Him. Even Martha, who a few minutes ago confessed Him as, “the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God,” did not apprehend the significance of the occasion.  

The world is helplessly crying over poverty, terrorism, child labor, sex slavery, and many more. However, the Son of God has come for that reason, but sadly, the world has failed to recognize Him(Jn. 1:29).. He is the answer for the world’s problems, but the world has refused to accept Him.

In this case, there was a dead man in the tomb, and the One who has authority over death was standing right before them. What an opportunity to see and experience the glory of God in the Son! Yet, their grief and hopelessness obscured their vision.

“See how he loved him!” they said (36).

The world looks at the physical and live in the now. That’s the world’s problem. They are blind to the spiritual realities and eternity. The Jews looked at Jesus and sneered, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” (36). The irony is that Jesus came into the world for that very reason. He was at Lazarus’ tomb to raise him back to life. “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who and believes in me will never die” (25-26). Yet, they missed it.
Still angry in the Spirit, Jesus commanded them to, “Roll the stone away” (39).

Martha still didn’t get it. “But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been dead for four days.”
Jesus took His eyes from the people, prayed, and gave a loud command, “Lazarus, come out!” No dead person or situation can resist the life-giving command of the Creator; and Lazarus came out alive (43-44). That’s the power of Jesus Christ over death.

“In Him (Jesus) was life, and that life is the light of men” (1:4). He is the Resurrection and the Life (11:25), the Way the Truth and the Life (14:6). 
Believe in Christ today and experience the glory of God in Him for eternity. In Him, you will crossover from death to life. He cries over the desolation of the world today and calls you out onto Himself.

Will you come today?